Talks about Skype, TruPhone and Fring, options for making calls for pennies on the dollar. I used Skype while I traveled around the world, primarily through my laptop. These options would have you use it through your cell phone, which is even more convenient.

Joan Rivers on CNNWhat does Joan Rivers have to do with travel? She was rejected from a flight back to the USA because her ticket had the name Joseph as opposed to Joan. She didn’t check the tickets beforehand and was prevented from boarding.Skip ahead to about 2:20 to see what happened to her.

Some great ideas on places to hit in 2010. Use this list to spur some ideas or open your eyes to new places. Included in this list are Sri Lanka, Antarctica (on my personal list), Seoul and Bahia, Brazil (one of the best trips I ever had).

One blogger’s story of being ripped off while in China. There is a delicate balance between opening yourself up to new experiences and people and being led astray. What can you do? Do a little research online. Even a simple Google search of “travel scams in X” may save you some time and aggravation.

Want to get away from Phuket and all the usual places in SE Asia overrun with tourists who look and sound like you? Here an excellent list of up and coming locales that have charm and culture with the same affordable prices.

I agree with that round the world travel should not be done completely online. It would be great to talk with someone over your options, where you can stopover for free, etc. Large group trips I would also agree with, having led one two years ago to Costa Rica. You want human accountability when you have so many people and options involved.

You would think once you’re in the air the last thing you have to worry about is getting your valuables jacked. Sorry, these are tough times. Someone stole over $5000US worth of items from sleeping passengers on a long flight.

If I’m in charge once the theft was discovered, NOBODY is getting off that plane. Bags are searched, people are being frisked, the whole nine.

For all you high rollers, the view of the Airbus A380 first class section. From inital glance it looks like a high end bar/lounge in a major city. I don’t think you’ll mind being stuck on a runway for hours if you had these amenities. I had never heard of a shower on board a commercial airliner before.

If you want to have a clean conscience while you play on the beach or drink alcohol based drinks with umbrellas in them, you’ll want to look at this list. Make sure that your trip location of choice is environmentally conscience and a supporter of human rights.

I encountered a few families on the road, including a husband, wife, toddler and grandma in my hostel in Hawaii. Traveling like that is not impossible and this article shows you how. Parents are worried about their kids and THEIR parents, most times needlessly.

@CandiceThe thought never even occurred to me that a country would lock you out if you had a felony. Make perfect sense though. Criminals are deported to their home countries when they are released from prison. Makes sense if you were convicted of a felony they would not even let you in the door.